Finland's Housing First policy led to the number of homeless people in the country dropping by half, but recent government cuts have seen homelessness rise for a second consecutive year. Those with firsthand experience explain why the policy worked and what is now going wrong.
How Housing First Changed Lives
Vello Senkel, 67, was living on the streets of Helsinki for 10 days after being evicted from his home three and a half years ago. Now, he lives in a housing unit in a Helsinki suburb alongside 77 other formerly homeless people. He says having this apartment has "changed everything".
The unit follows the Housing First principle, which focuses on housing as a fundamental human right rather than a reward. Temporary accommodation is seen as something to be avoided, with all support centred on ensuring people have permanent homes. Advocates say it is cheaper for the state in the long run.
Another key component for Senkel is the 24-hour staff support. Without it, his home would have been a "black hole" of loneliness. He has an agreement with the management that if they don't see him for 72 hours, they will get in touch.
Success and Setbacks in Finland
Since 2008, when Housing First became the foundation of all homelessness policies in Finland, the country has achieved remarkable results. Between 2012 and 2023, the number of homeless people dropped by more than half, from about 8,000 to about 3,400.
However, the latest national survey from last November found that the number of homeless people had gone up for a second year in a row, to 4,579 people, a 20% rise on the previous year. Key factors cited by the government's own report include rising housing and living costs, cuts to benefits, and more cases of substance abuse and mental health problems. Homelessness has especially increased among women, under-25s, and people with non-Finnish backgrounds.
Challenges on the Ground
At the NGO No Fixed Abode (Vailla vakinaista asuntoa ry), founded by homeless people 40 years ago, visitors like Jari Häkkinen, 57, describe the struggle to find housing covered by benefits. He is determined to keep the pensioner's apartment he has found, but it is €14 over his monthly limit. "I'm fighting to get that €14 a month no matter what," he says.
Another visitor, Leila, who has been homeless for nearly 12 years and lives under a nearby bridge, disputes Finland's reputation as the world's happiest country. "They are saying [Finland is a] happy country. It is not true," she says. "This is the reality you see."
Erja Morottaja, No Fixed Abode's head of communications, says there is no "one size, one idea, one model, one type of support service". She explains, "Some people might need quite light support. And then some people need quite heavy support."
What the UK Can Learn
Despite the recent dip in progress, there is still much for other countries to learn from Finland. Andy Burnham, the UK's new prime minister, visited Y-Foundation (Y-Säätiö), which played a central role in the creation and implementation of Housing First, in 2019. Since then, the foundation, which owns more than 19,000 homes in Finland, has twice been to the UK to support Burnham's Manchester homelessness programme.
Juha Kahila, Y-Foundation's head of international affairs, says the vast majority of formerly homeless people in Finland live in "scattered housing" – affordable housing among different demographic groups. He emphasises that comfort and cosiness are key parts of Finland's success. "Home is something you want to decorate, you want to spend time there," he says. "When you close the door you can be whoever you want. It's your safe place."
